Disclaimer: We are not attorneys and don’t pretend to be. The information presented here relies primarily on information available through public records. We are not responsible for documentation from government entities and other public sources which may be incomplete and/or inaccurate.

On May 15, 2014, Bill Nichlas called from an NIU phone number to talk to “Ralph” – or he thought he called Ralph – and left a message on a cell phone that appears to be discussions on how to go around the Illinois Procurement Code, you know, because it is too much of a hassle to follow the law…

Below is the audio recording from the voice mail he mistakenly left on someone else’s phone, and in it you can hear Bill Nicklas, Vice President of Administration, explaining to vendor that the vendor could use open orders to avoid “the harsh constraints of the public procurement system.”

Partial transcript of phone message: “One little bit of a down here. The possible is no longer being asked and is nearly impossible. Somehow we need to get you into an “open order status” because that’s the way that we can off-set some of the harsh constraints in the Illinois Procurement System”.

Why haven’t you looked at all of them yet is the question remaining I got for you. How about you re-focus your attention back on Coles County and Charleston and Mattoon specifically? Lots of easily verified evidence of public corruption to write about here in our county obviously. It’s a goldmine of stories for a investigative journalists like yourself. You need any help, let me know and I can point you in the right direction John. Have a nice day today. Thanks again.